Letter to Editor: Put Question 3 in Storage

A few takeaways from the 3-to-1 statewide vote for Question 3 on the midterm election ballot:

No. 1: Let’s not take it personally on the Eastern Shore, even though all nine Shore counties voted against the constitutional amendment allowing for redistricting of congressional districts in any election year not necessarily ending in zero. Our vote was 2-to-1 against in some cases.

No. 2: It is highly unlikely that redistricting in Maryland would take effect in 2028. Nor should it. The GOP may have felt, perhaps with good reason, that Question 3 was aimed at defeating Andy Harris, the lone Republican elected from Maryland to the House of Representatives. But after the nationwide midterm rebuke of President Trump and his feckless enablers in Congress and the Cabinet, Democrats would need to commit tragi-comic incompetence of Trumpian proportions to lose the next presidential election. (Think of JD Vance pardoning Donald on New Year’s Day, 2028, and balancing his “dream ticket” for MAGA diehards by anointing Stephen Miller as his running mate.) Just kidding. But who knows with nasty sore losers?

No. 3: Dan Schwartz, who in any other Blue Tsunami election would’ve retired Harris, should be encouraged to run again, whether against Andy or not. It’s clear to me that Schwartz fell short because many Republicans who might’ve stayed home Election Day turned out to defeat Question 3. Of course, if you didn’t already know, Schwartz of Bellevue urged First District voters to reject the third question. And I agree with him. Splitting the Eastern Shore with two other districts on the western side of the Bay would dilute whatever clout the nine Shore counties might have in the Maryland General Assembly.

No. 4: So let’s stick to redistricting to years ending in zero for the constitutionally mandated census that determines which districts gained in population and which lost. As opposed to off-year gerrymandering to cheat your way to super-majorities. How well did that work this time? Make Question 3 moot. “MQ3M” doesn’t have the same defiant ring as “MAGA.” But it works for me, and I think for fellow Shore men, women, and them. We’re all in this together, y’know.

Steve Parks

Easton

Letter to Editor: Put Question 3 in Storage

Comments